砥石(といし)

といし
noun
whetstone, sharpening stone
1. whetstone, sharpening stone
A stone used for sharpening blades such as kitchen knives, scissors, or tools. Water is typically applied to the stone while grinding the blade against its surface.
包丁(ほうちょう)を砥石(といし)で研(と)いだ。
I sharpened the kitchen knife with a whetstone.
砥石(といし)は使(つか)う前(まえ)に水(みず)に浸(ひた)しておく。
Soak the whetstone in water before using it.
料理人(りょうりにん)は自分(じぶん)の砥石(といし)を大切(たいせつ)にしている。
Chefs take good care of their own whetstones.

TYPES BY GRIT:

  • 荒砥(あらと) (coarse whetstone) - for initial sharpening, fixing chips
  • 中砥(なかと) (medium whetstone) - general sharpening
  • 仕上(しあ)げ砥(と) (finishing stone) - for final polish

FAMOUS WHETSTONES:

  • 天然(てんねん)砥石(といし) (natural whetstone)
  • 京都(きょうと)の天然(てんねん)砥石(といし) (Kyoto natural stones) - highly valued
  • 人造(じんぞう)砥石(といし) (synthetic whetstone)

USAGE:

  • 水(みず)砥石(といし) (water stone) - most common type in Japan
  • 油砥石(あぶらといし) (oil stone) - uses oil instead of water

RELATED TOOLS:

  • 包丁(ほうちょう) (kitchen knife)
  • 研(と)ぎ器(き) (knife sharpener - simpler alternative)
  • 革砥(かわと) (leather strop) - for final polishing

TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE:

  • Japanese blade sharpening (研(と)ぎ) is considered a skill
  • Professional sharpeners (研(と)ぎ師(し)) still exist
  • Proper angle and pressure are crucial

COLLOCATIONS:

  • 砥石(といし)で研(と)ぐ (to sharpen with a whetstone)
  • 砥石(といし)を水(みず)に浸(ひた)す (to soak the whetstone)
general
Added 2026.1.18 8:08 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06525_toishi